Commander Highlights Effective Accomplishment of Challenges for Eradication of COVID-19

"Remember that in the past two and half decades, we have overcome worst scenarios and challenged more difficult tasks than what we have undertaken against the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak at present, purely for the best interests of the Nation. You all as Commanding Officers and respective stakeholders are performing invaluable and highly dedicated services at this critical moment of our contemporary history, which is held in high esteem by all in the country and appreciated very much none other than by all our people, our Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, HE the President and Hon Prime Minister. The overwhelming praise that we receive today is quite identical to how we were hailed during humanitarian operations that wiped out terrorism. Our task is yet to be accomplished how much difficult and demanding it would be while taking the maximum care of your own health while performing duties," so remarked Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff, Commander of the Army and Head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID -19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) when he addressed a cross section of Field Commanders, involved in COVID-19 control work this morning (21) at the Army HQ.

At the outset, a three-tier system of management, meant for its containment, prevention of its further transmission and quarantining of suspicious elements / medical care for the infected were proposed after the Presidential Task Force was formed. "You all have so far done your best under the Phase 1 & 2 and are currently engaged in the 3 rd phase in an effective manner while caring for thousands of individuals of all ages, varying backgrounds, different ethnicity, even little children and the aged, treating them like your own brothers and sisters, if not as Sri Lankans. We all need to maintain the momentum and finish it off once for all and bring normalcy to our country as early as possible," the Commander told them.

He also reminded them of the government's plans to bring down stranded Sri Lankan students from India and Pakistan who should also undergo the quarantine process upon their arrival. Paying a tribute to the support being extended by sailors and airmen for the gigantic task, he also noted that this new experience paved the way for all tri services to rectify their fields of operations and improve on those lines further to be full-pledged in specific spheres. "You need to stick to the highest standards of health precautions at all levels and be concerned of your own safety before you manage with others. Then only, we would be able to win this challenge, mind you," he added.

The culmination of Lieutenant Genera Silva's address to the Field Officers opened the floor afterwards for more interactive discussions both with the Commander of the Army and the group of those senior Officers.

Major General Jayantha Seneviratne, Commander Security Forces-West, Major General Suraj Bangsajayah, Director General General Staff, Major General Senarath Bandara, General officer Commanding 11 Division, Major General Palitha Fernando, Major General Palitha Fernando General officer Commanding 61 Division, Brigadier Harendra Ranasingha, Director Operations, Brigade Commanders, Commanding Officers and a representative gathering of Officers were there to listen to the Commander of the Army.

Source: www.army.lk